The Republic of Artsakh is a republic with limited recognition in the South Caucasus region. The Republic of Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (before the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, it also controlled some of the surrounding area). It is recognized only by three other non-UN member states, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The rest of the international community recognizes Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. In November 2012, a member of Uruguay's foreign relations committee stated that his country could recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's independence. In 2012, Armenia and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations and it was expected that Tuvalu may recognize Artsakh's independence. In October 2012, the Australian state of New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh. In September 2014, the Basque Parliament in Spain adopted a motion supporting Artsakh's right to self-determination and in November 2014, the Parliament of Navarre, also in Spain, issued a statement supporting Artsakh's inclusion in taking part in settlement negotiations. At the present, no diplomatic missions of other countries exist in Artsakh. On the other hand, the republic has built a small network of representative offices around the world. Currently it has representative offices in seven countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign policy of the state is governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Artsakh. The Ministry is based in the capital city of Stepanakert. Currently, the Minister is David Babayan. Bilateral relations Abkhazia The Republic of Artsakh and the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia recognize each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for their citizens and participate in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations. Australia In 2012, the Parliament of New South Wales called upon the Australian government to recognize Artsakh. Artsakh maintains a Representative Office in Sydney, Australia. Armenia Artsakh has very close relations with Armenia. It functions as a de facto part of Armenia. A representative office of Nagorno-Karabakh was established in Yerevan. Europe The Republic of Artsakh maintains three representative offices in Europe, including Berlin, Paris, and Moscow. Artsakh gave a positive response to the Russian recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk, however this did not extend to their own issuance of recognition. Lebanon The Republic of Artsakh maintains a Representative office in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. In March 2018, Artsakh president Bako Sahakyan visited Lebanon and met with Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian